Week Four Power Rankings

Week three is in the books and we have some OVC risers and fallers this week, and one team the writers and fans see very differently. (Well, at least one writer)

Here’s our Power Rankings heading into the final week of non-conference games for much of the OVC

1) Eastern Illinois (3-0) Last week: #1

Writers Rank: #1, Fans Rank #1

Is there any question that this team is the best in the OVC? High powered offense that can put up as many points as they want and now a defense that can stack up well in the conference. Panthers look for another FBS win as they take on Northern Illinois this weekend.

2) UT Martin (2-1) Last week: #5

Writers Rank: #2, Fans Rank: #2

The offense will improve as Dylan Favre earns Coach Jason Simpson’s trust; the offense is already amazing with the ground setting up the pass. The defense is the star of the team, coming up with two impressive performances, in the Skyhawks two wins against ranked FCS and our number two ranking.

3) Eastern Kentucky (1-2) Last week: #2

Writers Rank: #3, Fans Rank: #3

The Colonels are known for one thing, running. They stop it and they pound the rock. So far neither has happened making us wonder what Dean Hood is going to do. The quarterback is leading the team in rushing three games into the season and is ranked sixth in the conference. A little better, the defense is fourth in the OVC allowing 157 yards a game.

4) Tennessee State (2-1) Last week: #4

Writers Rank: T-4th, Fans Rank: #4

While the offense continues to discover themselves, the defense is the reason why the Tigers have their wins. Even in their loss, the defense was impressive. That being said if they allow more than 20points in a game, they could have more losses ahead.

5) Jacksonville State (3-0) Last week: #3

Writers Rank: #6, Fans Rank: #5

Could there be a more interesting undefeated team right now? Somehow the Gamecocks, with very little offense to show for it has a zero in the loss column. The Gamecocks lead the conference in rushing and are middle in every other major offensive and defensive category. We still don’t know how they do it and probably won’t until the conference portion rolls around.

6) Murray State (2-1) Last week: #6

Writers Rank: T-4th, Fans Rank: #7

As I follow the tweets from Racer games I feel like I’ve seen this before, just a year ago. The changes expected for the defense haven’t been seen yet so expect 40 points a game needed to win a game. The team relies heavily on Walter Powell, perhaps too much. He has accounted for eight of the teams 20 touchdowns, and seven of Maikhail Miller’s nine passing touchdowns.

7) Tennessee Tech (2-1) Last week: #7

Writers Rank: #7, Fans Rank: #6

Up to last weekend, the Golden Eagles have done what we expected. Dominate an lower division team then get dominated by an FBS team. This past weekend they had to hang on against Hampton, a team that wasn’t that good last year and probably won’t be again this year. The Golden Eagles open OVC play and can show us what they are this year against the best defense in the league.

T-8th) Southeast Missouri (0-2) Last week: #8

Writers Rank: #8, Fans Rank: #9

After starting the season 0-2, the Redhawks have a quarterback battle once again. Guessing Head Coach Tony Samuel wants to open up the offense and throw more and neither quarterback has really done that. That being said we keep the team just above the bottom of the bucket.

T-8th) Austin Peay (0-3) Last week: #9

Writers Rank: #9, Fans Rank: #8

When your coach says that you played worse against an FCS opponent then FBS then you know times are tough. Bright side is the Governors have scored a touchdown finally! Austin Peay dives right back into FBS competition this week, so will there be points? I don’t know anymore.